“I will fearlessly acknowledge
when providing care for my family member becomes
impossible, either because of his or her condition
or my own, and seek other solutions for my family
member's care needs.”

This principle in the
Fearless
Caregiver Manifesto relates to one of the most
important decisions you may be asked to make as a
family caregiver—choosing an appropriate long-term
care facility for your loved one. With this
decision, you are not only selecting a safe and
comfortable place in which your loved one will live,
but also a team of healthcare professionals who will
become your partners in care. Before you choose a
facility, it is important to consider some important
points. The first thing to remember is that when
entering any facility is that you should trust your
own senses. Are you comfortable that the facility’s
residents are content and well cared for in a clean
and comfortable surrounding?

You may want to also:

Conduct a “smell test.” Be
concerned if the facility has a strong scent of
urine or even an overpowering disinfectant
smell.

Speak to as many different
staff and residents as possible. Get a sense of
how the residents and workers feel about the
facility; do they enjoy living or working there?

Talk frankly with family
members of other residents.

Notice how the staff treats
the other residents in their care; that probably
reflects the level of care your loved one will
receive.

Visit at differing times of
day and evening before making a decision.

Ask about the level of staff
to resident? How many are on duty during the
day, overnight and on weekends?